Free Throws Seal Victory For Jackets

DEFIANCE, Ohio – A big second half lifted the Defiance College Lady Jackets to a 76-66 victory over Siena Heights to open the 2007-08 season at the Karl H. Weaner Community Center.

Holly Stein had a breakout performance in her first collegiate contest, leading DC with 23 points, seven steals and five assists. Sarah Bird was the other Lady Jacket in double figures scoring 13 of her 15 points in the second half, while pulling down five boards to go along with her four steals. Sarah Grime and Kim Zura each had eight points for Defiance, while Tasha Stucke and Carolyn Holt finished with seven and six respectively.

The Saints led all but one minute of a first half that saw 41 turnovers between the two teams, entering the break with a 33-29 advantage.

The second half belonged to Defiance as they outscored the Saints 47-33 in the period. DC went on a 6-0 run to start the half as a layup by Bird gave DC a 35-33 advantage, its first lead since the first ten seconds of the contest. The Jackets continued to stretch the lead over the next four minutes of the game as an Amber Bailey jumper capped off a 14-5 run that gave Defiance a 49-40 lead.

Onicko Biggs scored nine of Siena Heights’ next 13 points, helping the Saints knot the game at 57 apiece with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Defiance took over from there as Holt scored off an assist by Stein to help the Jackets close out the game with a 19-9 spurt to run away with the victory.

The Jackets went 15-of-16 from the line in the final two and a half minutes of the game, shooting over 80 percent (27-for-33) as a team for the day. Stein and Bird were each perfect from the line, going 10-of-10 and 8-of-8 respectively.

Defiance (1-0) returns to action on Wednesday against Hope College at the Weaner Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.